Designed solely for students who’ve completed the MITx MicroMasters in Statistics and Data Science, this degree pathway offers a core curriculum in finance. Your courses complement the in-depth training in data science, giving you the tools and perspective needed to be an industry leader.
What You’ll Learn
Through the graduate program in finance you:
- Study the core elements of financial management theory including; accounting, finance, economics, business valuation, and financial statement analysis.
- Gain insight into the latest financial management practices through lecture, case studies, group projects, and active learning experiences.
- Apply data science and financial tools to real-world problems.
Required Courses
In this pathway, Harvard Extension School will credit four courses (16 credits) toward the finance program for earning the MITx MicroMasters Program in Statistics and Data Science. One course will cover the required statistics requirement and the other three will count as electives.
To earn the master’s degree, you complete the following eight courses (32 credits).
8 Graduate Courses
Courses can be completed online or on campus. At least two courses must be completed on campus. Weekend options available.
- 1 economics course (microeconomics or managerial economics)
- 1 finance course (principles or managerial finance)
- 1 accounting course (financial or managerial accounting)
- 1 financial statement analysis course
- 1 investment theory course
- 1 corporate finance course
- 1 business valuation course
- 1 elective
Search for Courses
The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) offers degree courses all year round. You can study in fall, January, and spring terms through Harvard Extension School (HES) and during the summer through Harvard Summer School (HSS).
To find degree courses in the DCE Course Search and Registration platform:
- Under Search Classes, scroll to Harvard Extension Degree, Certificate, and Premedical Course Search.
- Select Graduate Degrees.
- Choose Finance to explore program courses.
On-Campus Requirements
Many courses can be taken online, but the degree requires a Harvard campus experience. You come to Cambridge for at least two courses (8 credits), which offers you in-person access to faculty, campus resources, and the academic community.
On-campus requirements can be completed through any combination of the following options.
Limited flexibility? You can typically fulfill the requirement in two intensive weekends.
- 15-week fall or spring semester courses that meet only on campus. Courses with the format “on campus or online” do not fulfill this requirement.
- Courses that combine weekly online classes over a semester with an intensive weekend on campus.
- Three-week January courses that meet only on campus.
- Three-week or seven-week summer courses that meet only on campus.
International Students Who Need a Student Visa
To meet the on-campus requirement, you study with us in the summer. You can easily request an I-20 for the F-1 student visa through Harvard Summer School’s three- or seven-week sessions. For more information, see the International Student Study Options page.
Admissions and Getting Started
After you’ve earned the MicroMasters Program credential in Statistics and Data Science, you begin the admission process by simply registering—no application needed—for the following graduate-level course:
- 1 economics course (microeconomics or managerial economics)
Prerequisites: Before registering for the economics course, you’ll need to pass our online test of critical reading and writing skills. Alternatively, you can complete EXPO 34 Business Rhetoric at the undergraduate or graduate level with a grade of B or higher to meet the registration requirement, but EXPO 34 does not count toward the degree.
Grade requirements: You must complete the economics course with a grade of B or higher, without letting your overall Harvard cumulative GPA dip below 3.0.
Eligibility: Prior to beginning this pathway, which starts with your first MITx course, you need to possess a four-year, regionally accredited US bachelor’s degree or its foreign equivalent. You cannot already have or be in the process of earning a master’s degree in finance or related field.
Submitting Your Application
During the semester that you are completing the economics course, submit the official application to the program.
Don’t delay! It is critical to prioritize the degree course for admission and apply before completing subsequent courses. By doing so, you’ll avoid the delayed application fee and the loss of degree credit for expired courses, and you’ll gain access to exclusive degree candidate privileges.
Eligible students who submit a complete and timely application will have 7 more courses after admission to earn the degree.
For more details about eligibility, the application process, and application fees, visit Admissions.
MicroMasters Program Admission Pathway Policy
The MITx MicroMasters Program credential in Statistics and Data Science must be earned prior to enrolling in any degree-applicable courses at Harvard. Further, the credential cannot be more than three years old at the time of application. Credit is only granted for the entire MicroMasters Program; Harvard credit will not be awarded for individual courses.
For more details about Harvard Extension School degree program eligibility and the application process, visit Admissions. If you have questions about the MicroMasters Program, contact MITx directly.
Cost and Financial Aid
Affordability is core to our mission. You’ll find our tuition comparable to tuition at public universities. And when compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.
| Our Tuition (2022–23 rate) | $3,100 per course |
| Average Tuition of Peer Institutions | $5,476 per course |
| Average Total Cost | $24,800 |
After admission, you may qualify for financial aid. Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.
To Complete Your Degree
Required GPA, Withdrawal Grades, and Repeat Courses
GPA. You need to earn a B or higher in economics and finance requirements and a B– or higher in all other courses. In addition, your cumulative GPA cannot dip below 3.0.
Withdrawal Grades. You are allowed to receive one withdrawal (WD) grade without it affecting your GPA. Any additional WD grades count as zero in your cumulative GPA. See Academic Standing.
Repeat Courses. We advise you to review the ALM program’s strict policies about repeating courses. Generally speaking, you may not repeat a course to improve your GPA or to fulfill a degree requirement (if the minimum grade was not initially achieved). Nor can you repeat a course for graduate credit that you’ve previously completed at Harvard Extension School or Harvard Summer School at the undergraduate level.
Finish Your Coursework in Five Years
You have five years to complete your degree requirements. The five-year timeline begins at the end of the term in which you complete any one degree-applicable course at Harvard, whether or not you have been admitted to the program.
Harvard courses over five years old at the point of admission will not count toward the degree.
Potential degree candidates must plan accordingly and submit their applications to comply with the five-year course expiration policy or they risk losing degree credit for completed course work. Additionally, admission eligibility will be jeopardized if, at the point of application to the program, the five-year degree completion policy cannot be satisfied.
Graduate with Your Harvard Degree
When you have fulfilled all degree requirements, you will earn your Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Finance. Degrees are awarded in November, March, and May, with the annual Harvard Commencement ceremony in May.
Degree Candidate Exclusive Benefits
When you become an officially admitted degree candidate you have access to a rich variety of exclusive benefits to support your academic journey. To learn more, visit degree candidate academic opportunities and privileges.
